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Writer's pictureArbitrary 20

Quick Builds for Every Artificer Subclass in D&D 5e

Updated: Sep 25, 2023

Original Video:



*This article is an edited version of the script for this video


Alchemist:


Race: Variant Human or Custom Lineage


Ability Score Priorities:

#1 Int

#2 Dex

#3 Con


Equipment(start with as close as possible and work up to it):

Half Plate

Shield

Rapier

100gp gem for Homunculus Servent


Spells:

-Cantrips: Booming Blade, Guidance, Mending

-1st: Absorb Elements, Cure Wounds, Detect Magic, Faerie Fire, Feather Fall, Longstrider

-2nd: Aid, Web

-3rd: Dispel Magic, Revivify, Tiny Servant

-4th: Mordenkainen’s Private Sanctum, Freedom of Movement

-5th: Animate Objects, Greater Restoration


Infusions:

-Spellwrought Tattoo 1st Level

-Homunculus Servant

-Enhanced Weapon/Radiant Weapon

-Bag of Holding

-Enhanced Defence

-Repulsion Shield

-Winged Boots

-Pipes of Haunting

-Cloak of Protection

-Ring of Protection

-Amulet of Health

-Spell-Refueling Ring


Feats:

-1st: Fighting Initiate: Dueling

-4th: Piercer

-8th: War Caster

-12th: Fey Touched: +1 Int & Hex

-16th and 19th: Boost Dex then Int to max if possible


Tactics:

-Spellwrought Tattoo: Main thing we want is find familiar with no material components, but having access to any first level spell after a long rest has many uses.

-Experimental Elixir: Find out what they are by sipping them and if it’s a longer duration one, which it likely will be, take it before combat not to waste action economy.

-Spell-Storing Item: Best spell is usually Web. You can give it to a Tiny Servant to cast and they will be able to concentrate on it as well

-Action: Usually booming blade but on the first round casting a concentration spell would also be good

Bonus Action: Commanding Homunculus Servant, Animated Objects, or Tiny Servant


Armorer:


Race: Variant Human or Custom Lineage


Ability Score Priorities:

#1 Int

#2 Con


Equipment(start with as close as possible and work up to it):

Plate Armor


Spells:

-Cantrips: Guidance, Magic Stone, Resistance

-1st: Absorb Elements, Cure Wounds, Detect Magic, Faerie Fire, Feather Fall, Longstrider

-2nd: Aid, Web

-3rd: Dispel Magic, Revivify, Tiny Servant

-4th: Mordenkainen’s Private Sanctum, Freedom of Movement

-5th: Greater Restoration, Transmute Rock


Infusions:

-Spellwrought Tattoo 1st Level

-Enhanced Weapon

-Radiant Weapon

-Bag of Holding

-Enhanced Defence

-Repulsion Shield

-Winged Boots

-Pipes of Haunting

-Cloak of Protection

-Ring of Protection

-Amulet of Health

-Spell-Refueling Ring


Feats:

-1st: Dual Wielder

-4th: Fighting Initiate: Two-Weapon Fighting

-8th: Fey Touched: +1 Int and Hex

-12th: Sentinel

-16th: Resilient: Wis

-19th: Boost Int and/or Con or take Tough


Tactics:

-Spellwrought Tattoo: Main thing we want is find familiar with no material components, but having access to any first level spell after a long rest has many uses.

-Spell-Storing Item: Best spell is usually Web. You can give it to a Tiny Servant to cast and they will be able to concentrate on it as well

-Magic Stone: You can give these to your Tiny Servant to throw at your enemies

-Action: Usually attacking 1-2 times with Thunder Gauntlets but on the first round casting a concentration spell would also be good

Bonus Action: Commanding Tiny Servant or off-hand Thunder Gauntlet attack


Artillerist:


Race: Variant Human or Custom Lineage


Ability Score Priorities:

#1 Int

#2 Str

#3 Con

#4 Dex


Equipment(start with as close as possible and work up to it):

Half Plate

Shield

Quarterstaff


Spells:

-Cantrips: Booming Blade, Guidance, Mending

-1st: Absorb Elements, Cure Wounds, Detect Magic, Faerie Fire, Feather Fall, Longstrider

-2nd: Aid, Web

-3rd: Dispel Magic, Revivify, Tiny Servant

-4th: Mordenkainen’s Private Sanctum, Freedom of Movement

-5th: Greater Restoration, Transmute Rock


Infusions:

-Spellwrought Tattoo 1st Level

-Enhanced Weapon/Radiant Weapon

-Mind Sharpener

-Bag of Holding

-Enhanced Defence

-Repulsion Shield

-Winged Boots

-Pipes of Haunting

-Cloak of Protection

-Ring of Protection

-Amulet of Health

-Spell-Refueling Ring


Feats:

-1st: Polearm Master

-4th: War Caster

-8th: Crusher

-12th: Fighting Initiate: Dueling

-16th and 19th: Boost Str or Int to max if possible. If you have odd numbers half feats would be a great choice.


Tactics:

-Spellwrought Tattoo: Main thing we want is find familiar with no material components, but having access to any first level spell after a long rest has many uses.

-Arcane Firearm: Make a Staff with the Enhanced Weapon or Radiant Weapon infusion your arcane firearm and use that to cast booming blade. This will effectively give you a +1-2 weapon that deals an extra 1d8 thunder damage when you cast booming blade.

-Spell-Storing Item: Best spell is usually Web. You can give it to a Tiny Servant to cast and they will be able to concentrate on it as well

-Action: Usually booming blade but on the first round casting a concentration spell would also be good

Bonus Action: Commanding Tiny Servant or Eldritch Cannon(s)

Combo: Booming Blade + Crusher and push the target 5 ft away from you and then if they come back into your reach use your Polearm Master reaction to trigger a Booming Blade with War Caster and push them back again with crusher. And each time they willingly move during these exchanges they will take additional damage from booming blade


Battle Smith:


Race: Variant Human or Custom Lineage


Ability Score Priorities:

#1 Int

#2 Con


Equipment(start with as close as possible and work up to it):

Half Plate

Longbow


Spells:

-Cantrips: Guidance, Mending, Resistance

-1st: Absorb Elements, Cure Wounds, Detect Magic, Faerie Fire, Feather Fall, Longstrider

-2nd: Aid, Web

-3rd: Dispel Magic, Revivify, Tiny Servant

-4th: Mordenkainen’s Private Sanctum, Freedom of Movement

-5th: Animate Objects, Greater Restoration


Infusions:

-Spellwrought Tattoo 1st Level

-Enhanced Weapon/Repeating Shot

-Mind Sharpener

-Bag of Holding

-Enhanced Defence

-Bracers of Archery

-Winged Boots

-Pipes of Haunting

-Cloak of Protection

-Ring of Protection

-Amulet of Health

-Spell-Refueling Ring


Feats:

-1st: Sharpshooter

-4th: Fighting Initiate: Archery

-8th: Piercer

-12th: Fey Touched: +1 Int & Hex

-16th: War Caster

-19th: Boost Int or Con to max if possible


Tactics:

-Spellwrought Tattoo: Main thing we want is find familiar with no material components, but having access to any first level spell after a long rest has many uses.

-Spell-Storing Item: Best spell is usually Web. You can give it to a Tiny Servant to cast and they will be able to concentrate on it as well

-Action: Usually 1-2 attacks with heavy crossbow but on the first round casting a concentration spell would also be good

Bonus Action: Hex, Commanding Steel Defender, Animated Objects, or Tiny Servant


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